Inside Study Abroad Featured on Go! Overseas

Recently, I did an interview with Andrew over at Go! Overseas about all things study abroad. Looking back at our email chains, this interview was in the works for about five months and it's finally live and available on the information super highway. Wow! I love technology.

There's always so much to share and little subtle things to reveal about the study abroad experience - finding programs, paying for programs, getting the most out of programs, etc. - doing this interview reminded me that I need to do more to break down the whole study abroad juggernaut for students into smaller pieces.

Anyway, let me know what you think of the interview in the comments and thanks to Go! Overseas for the invitation.

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Study Abroad Scholarship: Freeman-ASIA Fall 2011 & Academic Year 2011-12 Awards

I didn't study abroad in Asia, technically. I taught English at a university in southern China, but my eight months there were some of the most culturally interesting, personally enriching, and life changing of all my travels abroad. 

Me with two of my best friends in Zhuhai, China, 2006

While I'm all for any kind of study abroad destination, studying abroad in Asia is particularly promising because the numerous scholarship and grant opportunities that exist to support students in their adventures in the land left of the international date line. The Freeman-Asia scholarship program, part of the Institute for International Education, is a great program that helps increase study abroad participation in Asia, which is typically underrepresentented in the geographic distribution of study abroad student. 


The deadlines are fast approaching. University office and study abroad providers should be pushing this info out on all their web and social media channels. Let's get some deserving young people to Asia! 


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Freeman-ASIA provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. The program's goal is to increase the number of Americans with first-hand exposure to and understanding of Asia and its peoples and cultures. Award amounts range from a maximum of $5,000 for a semester/quarter program to a maximum of $7,000 for an academic year program.

Student Application Deadline - April 1, 2011
Adviser Endorsement Deadline - April 8, 2011
For more information, eligibility requirements, and the online application, please visit: http://www.iie.org/freeman-asia


Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA)
U.S. Student Programs
Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017-3580

Tel: (212) 984-5542
Fax: (212) 984-5325
Email: freeman-asia@iie.orgfreeman-asia@iie.org>

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Cycling for Water and the Amazing Impact of Study Abroad

Okay. So it's no secret that I'm a big fan of study abroad. You could say I'm even a super fan. Infact, I've had this one statement in my job application coverletters since I started applying for study abroad jobs years ago and it's never changed in all these years:

 "International experiences are the highlights of academic careers and the defining points in young people's lives."

Even though I haven't had to apply for a study abroad job in a long time, this statement still rings true for me every day...especially days like today when I'm reminded of just how darn awesome study abroad really is.

Here's the story: In the fall of 2008, I sailed around the world on the MV Explorer as a staff member with Semester at Sea. [Awesome program if you can swing the cost - check out their financial aid and scholarship opportunities for study abroad.] For those of you who aren't familiar with Semester at Sea, it's a ship-based study abroad program that circumnavigates the globe visiting 10-12 countries - typically under-developed or developing - each semester. Basically, it's like a mini college with a full faculty, staff, and of course, students. Along with the crew, the ship typically has about 2,000 people on board each fall and spring semester.

Anyway...while working on the ship that awesome semester abroad, I befriended the Photographer and Videographer for the voyage, Brittany App and Garrett "Gar" Russell. Two amazingly caring and fun people who, as an added bonus to just generally being awesome people, are both very talented artists. After visiting those 10 countries that semester, Brittany and Garrett were haunted and inspired by the poverty we witnessed. You can read about it in the classroom, you can see it on the news, you can listen to other people's tales...but you never really understand the vast difference between the haves and have-nots of the world until you see, smell, hear, taste, and experience it first hand.

And that's what happened to Brittany and Garrett. They documented their experiences on Semester at Sea through photos and videos...and they came home after those four months wanting to do something more - which is what we hope all study abroad expeirences inspire people to do - come home and do something better, create something better, be someone better.

The result? Cycling for Water, a fundraising and documentary project to raise money and awareness about the lack of healthy, pure drinking water around the world. Last fall - just two years after we sailed around the world together - Brittany and Garrett set-off on a cross country bike trip spanning the USA from San Diego, CA, to St. Augustine, FL. They documented the journey on their blog and on Facebook.

As someone who sits at a desk most days grinding out as a study abroad staffer trying to make a difference and get more students abroad, seeing Brittany and Garrett's images and reading their descriptions of the experience reminded me that the little bit I do each day to make study abroad better, more affordable, and more accessible will hopefully result in a few more Brittanys and Garretts in the world - doing cool stuff, making a difference, and loving life.

Of course this wasn't Brittany or Garrett's first "rodeo," so to speak. They're both ridiculously well traveled and supporting various causes all the time. An incredible reminder that the journey and the destination can inspire our souls and feet to action.

Check out their project and watch the prelude to their jouney below:


To donate to Cycling for Water check out their website Cycling for Water.  And to see their amazing journey across North America, check out the slideshows on Vimeo: Part 1 and Part 2.

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Image of students at top (with a little flair by me) from Wagner College study abroad office website. Go Seahawks! 

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Study Abroad Job: International Program Coordinator and Advisor at Miami University (OH)

Here's what I have to say about this job at Miami University: Combine a picturesque setting, the rumored heated sidewalks, and some pretty cool study abroad colleagues and you get one sweet gig in international education. I went to grad school in Ohio (a place I never thought I'd live) and I'm not ashamed to say that I loved it. If you're at all politically minded, as a swing state, Ohio brings a new layer of "civic engagement" to your life when literally every vote has to be counted to determine a winner. Even if you could care less about politics, Ohio has something for everyone. And in terms of professional development, Ohio has more colleges and universities than most states have counties, so you'll always be surrounded by other interesting, engaged international educators. If nothing else, you can at least go ride the roller coasters at Cedar Point amusement park. :) 

Miami University seeks an International Program Coordinator and Advisor to serve the advising needs of our growing population of international and study abroad students, and the online and print communication needs of multiple offices providing international services at Miami University.

Under the supervision of the Director of International Education, this new position has multiple responsibilities: Collaborate with the Office of International Education, the Office of Lifelong Learning, the Miami University Dolibois European Center and the Center for American and World Cultures to ensure consistent print and online communications by reviewing and updating print and online international program information; serve as a study abroad advisor by conducting general information sessions and individual advising; provide international student-visa advising and counseling assistance, prepare visa documents and report via the SEVIS system as a Designated School Official; accomplish delegated OIE office duties; and other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate must have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in International Studies, Business Administration, Computer Science or related field; website management experience; one year of full-time student-service related experience; and excellent oral and written communication skills. Federal regulations require that this SEVIS-authorized position be held by a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

The desired qualifications are a Master's degree in International Education, International Studies, International Business or related field; two or more years of print and online communication management experience; two or more years of full-time international student-service related experience; experience working with diverse populations of students; international living or working experience; and knowledge of international education services.

Screening for this position will begin on April 1st and will continue until the position is filled. The start-date is May 1, 2011 or soon thereafter. The salary range is $33,000 to $38,000 per year plus an attractive benefits package.

Miami University, a public ivy institution, is known nationally for the excellence of its undergraduate, selected graduate and international programs, and for the beauty of its scenic campus in the classic college town of Oxford in southwestern Ohio. The campus is equally convenient to the Cincinnati and Dayton Airports and is within easy reach of many cultural attractions.

To apply for this position, send a cover letter, detailed and focused resume and a list of at least three professional references to Dr. David J. Keitges, Director of International Education, either by email to dkeitges@muohio.edu or by postal mail to Office of International Education, 216 MacMillan, Oxford, Ohio 45056.

Miami University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer with smoke-free campuses. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. For information regarding campus crime and safety, visit http://www.muohio.edu/righttoknow. A hard copy of this report is available upon request.http://www.units.muohio.edu/internationalprograms/index.php

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